If you had asked me three years ago, what is the best age to take a child to Disney World, my response would have been, “Do not take a child younger than four.” I was wrong. I had the above opinion before I had children of my own. My oldest daughter went to Disney World for the first time when she was nearly four. We did not take her sooner because we did not think it was “worth it” before the age of four.
My youngest has been going to Disney World since she was about seven months old. She got lucky as they say because she was able to tag along as we took her older sister. I have seen her transition to now an almost-three-year-old growing up in the world of Disney.
Here is what I have learned:
Take your child whenever YOU want to Disney World. Memories do not have age limits.
I thought my child would not “remember any of it,” and that could not be further from the truth. She engaged more with the rides and characters each time we took her. At two and a half, she is now an expert.
Regardless of how little she was, she LOVED seeing her song and dance friends come to life. From Mickey to Ariel, she danced with the music and hugged her beloved “friends.”
Seeing your child’s eyes light up at Disney World is priceless. Going to Disney World with children is an experience like no other. You see the wonder in their eyes. You see their imagination working overtime. You relive your childhood with them through every attraction and character interaction.
With all that said, I do still stand by the following:
Avoid Disney in the summer if possible. Your baby may love Mickey, but they will hate the heat and crowds.
Be sure to know where each baby care center is in every park. They are invaluable as you can purchase diapers, medicine, and baby food if you need to. They have AC, free water, quiet rooms to breastfeed, and even “toddler areas” for your older children to watch movies and color.
Take your child during the holidays if you can. The decorations in the fall and winter make Disney World even more special than it already is.
Plan for half days. Little ones will become very unhappy in the park all day long. They need a break. Go early in the morning to leave early or get there in the afternoon to leave early evening.
Take pictures of your child but be sure you take pictures WITH your child. I cannot tell you how many mothers I see take photographs of their children but are never in the photos themselves!
You can bring baby formula or your breast milk into the park.
If possible, use a baby carrier if you can over a stroller for less to contend with as you visit the park.
Pack raingear. Florida may be the sunshine state, but it rains often. Especially in the summer between 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m.
Finally, there is no right or wrong way to do Disney World.
There is no right or wrong way to make memories.
“Laughter is timeless. Imagination has no age. And dreams are forever.”- Walt Disney
Do Disney World as it works for you and your family!
Have a magical time!
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My daughter starts Kindergarten this month, and I am worried about her first year at a big kid school. I have the usual mom concerns. Those include her making friends, lunchtime, and the dreaded car line. I am also terrified she will not make it home on any given day. Will she be shot at school? I wrote that last line with terror in my heart.
When my mom sent me to Kindergarten in the 1980s, school shootings did not cross her mind. Those thoughts would not come until 1999. I was a high school senior in 1999 when Columbine forever changed the school landscape in America. My mom suddenly became worried about school shootings. School shootings became something that we talked about over dinner during my last two months as a high school student.
In between thoughts about my prom dress were feelings such as, “That could have happened at my school.” I discussed with my closest friends, which classmate would most likely commit such an atrocity. These conversations were brutal, honest, and scary. I counted down until graduation and thought, “If I make it, I’ll never have to think about this fear again.” Back then, we all kept telling ourselves that Columbine was a rare event. It would never happen again. Little did we know there would be countless school shootings after Columbine. Little did we know mass shootings would soon become a regular part of a 24-hour news cycle.
Now, 20 years after Columbine and only days after another mass shooting, I am getting ready to drop my daughter off at Kindergarten with fear in my heart for her life and her safety. Some may say that I have nothing to fear. The data suggests that it is much more likely you will die in a car accident versus a mass shooting.
My response? At least with cars, we do what we can to mitigate the risks. We create safer cars, we have police to hand out citations for offenses, and we continue to innovate and legislate our roads and automobiles to make life safer for all. Have we done that with military-style weapons? I am not talking handguns. I am talking military-style weapons. As both a mother and a gun owner, I cannot in good faith, say yes.
The latest shooting in El Paso, Texas hit home for us as a family. We lived in El Paso for six years, and I shopped at that Walmart. We became a part of that community. It broke our hearts and reminded us yet again that this is our new normal.
What have we done since Columbine to prevent mass shootings? Some would argue nothing. Some would say, not enough. As a mother, I am not here to argue either point. I only want to drop my daughter off at school or go shopping with my kids in peace. I realize that people intent on evil will always find a way to commit evil acts. I know that we have a second amendment that gives us a right to bear arms. I know these two facts better than most.
My husband works in a law enforcement capacity, and he deals with evil people frequently. He owns guns, for both work and personal use. I go shooting with my husband and with our friends, and I have enjoyed it. I have zero shame in sharing that information.
A gun range my husband joined required him to jump through massive hoops to become a member. His prior and current work experience did not matter. His Criminal Justice Degree did not matter. He had to put in time, effort, and money to become a member. The entire process was six months long and involved testing and meeting with different range masters before he could officially join. When we discussed it, we said, “Well, at least we know this will help deter those with evil intentions from joining this particular range.”
These requirements for membership are not foolproof. An evil person can still go through the entire process to become a member of that particular club. However, a person wanting to shoot up a gun club will most likely choose to join a gun range with fewer restrictions for membership. It is just common sense.
The same is true of what we call soft targets. Malls, stores, restaurants, and schools are what we call today, “soft targets.” These places offer those intending to commit violence easy access. People in these places are generally pre-occupied and unarmed. A person intending on a mass shooting will not go into a police station to perform such an act. Mostly, these soft targets, like schools and shopping malls, are sitting ducks. As my husband says, most crimes are crimes of opportunity, and a criminal is going to take the easiest route necessary to commit their crime. It is just common sense.
Where does that leave us then? It leaves us right where we are now. Two sides fighting one another with no middle ground solutions offered that make sense. It leaves us with politicians more concerned with their polling numbers than with finding common ground.
Does this mean I want to arm teachers? Does this infer I believe every person needs to own a firearm? I do not pretend to know all the answers, but I do acknowledge that we are overdue for a proper debate on this issue.
I acknowledge that we have to find a way to defend these soft targets and common sense tells me, good people with weapons stop bad people with weapons.
I also acknowledge that a military-style weapon capable of firing multiple rounds, either a semi-automatic or a fully automatic firearm should have tighter restrictions for purchase. I am not saying ban. I am saying, jump through a couple of hoops to purchase one. Those hoops will not stop every evil act, but they would create a buffer, a barrier, a deterrent. That, in turn, will save lives. It will not save every life, but many lives. You do not buckle your seatbelt because you know you will never have an accident, you buckle your belt in case you do.
If you are a gun owner like me and what I have said above bothers you, I understand. You believe that limits on firearms lead to a tyrannical government. I know this well. My parents fled Communism, and I know that fear. I am not suggesting a ban; I am suggesting jumping through a few “hoops” for military-style weapons. Those “hoops” could include specialized licensing, mental health exams, a firearm exam, or whatever series of steps are agreed upon through the legislative process. This will not lead to the banning of all guns but will put in place necessary steps to obtain military-style weapons. Also, let’s be real. Twenty children died in Newtown, and nothing was banned. Guns are not going anywhere.
Many will say we have a lack of God problem in this country. I believe that people with a belief in a Creator tend to avoid murderous rampages. I also know many atheists that would never commit such an act.
Many will say we have a mental health problem in this country. I believe that many mothers do not know what to do with their violent children. Repeatedly we hear of mothers begging for help. They see the signs. They want to get their children help, yet they have nowhere to turn. I also know that most mentally ill people will not commit murderous rampages.
Many will say we have an internet problem in this country. Before the rise of the internet, people intent on evil were isolated. Now, at the click of a button, they connect with other like-minded violent people that validate and encourage their evil thoughts and plans.
Many will say we fix the lack of God problem, the mental health issue, the guns, or the internet, and we fix it all. They focus on one part of this issue so tightly; they ignore the rest of the problems that encompass this complex issue. I say the problem is all of the above. We have to start somewhere because as of yet, we have not started anywhere.
We cannot fix all of these problems in one day. There will be debates and excellent points made on all sides. I have a feeling that somewhere in the middle lies the answer. Somewhere in the middle lies the common sense. Somewhere in the middle is where we can move beyond political pandering to finding solutions. I hope it happens in my lifetime.
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Those little lines read pregnant, and our world changed forever, twice. I always knew you would be an excellent father. I chose you to be the father of my children because I knew the kind of man you were. Yes, I always knew you would make an excellent father. What I did not realize is that you would take the word excellent and raise that bar by a hundred.
You are a man that always puts his family first. ALWAYS.
You consider your family in every decision you make. You work hard for us. You work hard for your children. You work hard for our future. You put our safety and security, both emotional and financial, at the heart of everything you do.
You are a man of action.
You know what needs to get done and you just do it. You iron, you cook, you clean, you braid hair, you fix whatever needs to be fixed, and most importantly, you kill all the bugs and insects without hesitation. You go above and beyond 24/7, and you keep going. You are their father but also an example of what a man should be. They see what you do, and they will expect their husbands to do the same. You set the bar high, and it keeps getting higher.
You are a man that sees me as your equal.
You ask for my advice. You never make big decisions without me. You tell our children that my role is just as vital as your role to our family. While you see me as your equal, you treat me like a lady. You open doors, you lift heavy things for me, you walk closest to the curb, and you give up your seat for me (and for others).
You take the check and pay for it as if we are still dating. Even though the money comes from the same account, you hold on to your role, and you do it well. You do not do these things because I cannot do them for myself. You know I can.
You do these things because you know a man can be both chivalrous and a feminist. You show our girls that it does not have to be one or another- a man can be both.
You are a man of kindness.
You show our children daily that kindness matters. You do for others without asking for anything in return. You say please and thank you. You tip well. You treat the people that clean your office building with the same respect that you treat your boss. You teach our children that kindness does not equal weakness. You show them that compassion is often extending grace but still being strong enough to walk away if needed.
You are a man of fun.
The girls ask you to play, and you instantly say, “Yes!” You play Barbies, monster, princess, cops, and robbers and whatever game they create…..you just play. You dance like no one is watching (or perhaps like everyone is watching), and you dance with the girls whenever they ask. You go to Disney and ride everything, sometimes in a prince costume if it will make your little girl happy. You love to make people laugh and share funny stories. You still put a smile on my face after 20 years.
You are a man of flaws.
Your flaws make you a better person and a better father. You know what your weaknesses are, and there is no need to list them here. What is important is that you do not let your flaws define you. You show our children that we all fall from grace, but it is what we do with the forgiveness we are given that matters. You teach our children that while we are all flawed, we can all do better.
You are a man of faith.
It is your faith that has helped shaped you. Like all of us, sometimes your faith wavers, but you know that God gave us the two greatest blessings we could ever ask for. You teach our children that God created them divinely.
You are raising them to place their value in what their creator intended them to be, not what society desires them to be.
Did I mention that you also are extremely handy around the home? Something breaks, and our two-year-old automatically says, “Daddy fix it.” Yes, we are lucky, indeed.
Have you ever noticed that an ice cream sundae is the perfect blend of imperfection? As soon as you begin to indulge in it, the ice cream begins to melt. The chocolate sauce drips off in all the wrong places. The toppings begin to get lost within the ice cream, and the cherry on top is barely hanging on. It will become a mess, but it will taste delicious all the same.
We need to snap a photo of that sundae before it begins to get messy. Before it loses its “perfection.” At least, that is what we are lead to believe.
We are told to strive for a perfect life, the ideal husband, the amazing vacation, and to snap it all in the perfect photo. With the rise of Instagram, have the expectations we set on our children and ourselves become destructive?
How do you feel when you scroll through Instagram and see a fellow mommy with a seemingly perfect life? We have all seen her. She is gorgeous, with a handsome husband, an unbelievable house and an unparalleled sense of style. Her children appear angelic in every photo.
You see this mommy and think for a minute, “I wish I had a life like that. I wish I could take those vacations. I wish I could wear those clothes.” For that minute, you felt inadequate.
Why have we quantified our worth by the likes of strangers?
Think back to when you were a child. You did not have an itinerary for every weekend that included brunch. You did not have “the perfect everything.” You had a roof over your head, summers spent outside, and a nice dinner out was a big deal, not a weekly occurrence. Children today do not know what to do with their free time because they are expecting every second of their life planned to “perfection.”
I witnessed a mother at the mall tell her son, “Don’t smile like that. No one liked that smile the last time. Do something else.” My heart broke for that child. She was so focused on the result of her Instagram feed; she did not see the beautiful boy in front of her. That is toxic.
Mamas, you do not have to be perfect.
You do not have to have perfect children.
You do not need to have a perfect Instagram feed.
The likes of strangers do not determine your worth.
Real-life is a cherry on top of an already imperfect but exquisite sundae. Make sure you take delight in every messy bite.
“What happened to the trees, Mama?” she asked me with a sad tone in her voice. I replied, “I am not sure.” I drove by the trees daily. I honestly never looked at the trees. I knew they were there. I knew they were “pretty” to look at, and yet, I never genuinely looked at them.
Now that the land lay bare, I missed the trees.
Children experience the present for the gift that it is.
She did not just glance at those trees. She authentically saw those trees. She loved those trees. She felt it when they were gone.
How many trees were there? I had no idea. I drove by these tall, wondrous trees, and I knew nothing about them. My five-year-old, on the other hand, knew.
She exclaimed, “There were more than ten trees, Mama! I always counted more than ten. Some of the trees had yellow leaves, and some only had green leaves. Some were as high as the sky, but some were like baby trees!”
This conversation stuck with me. Each day we drove by those trees, I just glanced at them. I, in the rush of life, did not see those trees. Sure, I knew they were there, but I had not genuinely looked at them. I had not taken the time to appreciate their beauty. Now, they were gone.
How often do we go through life glancing? We glance at a neighbor. We glance at an exotic flower. We glance at ourselves in the mirror. We glance at our children. We glance at our husband. We glance at a friend. We have become a society of “glancers.”
We glance at social media ALL DAY LONG.
We glance at our cell phones ALL DAY LONG.
How often do you actually SEE the people you are glancing at?
How often do you take in their beauty, and what they mean to you?
How often do you study the faces of your loved ones? Do you know their eye color? Do they smile sly or have a wide-open grin? Do they have dimples? If so, how many?
Children see everything because they experience the world around them.
The adults live in a world of distraction and miss the experiences.
We are distracted by social media.
We are distracted by endless news.
We are so distracted by the next big thing that we miss “the big thing” right in front of us.
We’ve become “glancers.” Glancing at the world and not experiencing it.
How many times has your child spoken to you while you were “glancing” at your phone? Did you acknowledge them? Did you stop looking down at your phone to answer them properly? Most likely you did not, you are too busy glancing.
I am guilty of it too. I need to do better also.
One day, our children will be grown and on their own. We will most likely glance at their pictures on our phones. They will post about their adventures, and we will glance, wishing we could genuinely see them instead.
The pictures in this post are not social media perfect because they were taken in 1999 before the rise of the flawless filter. These pictures were taken with my Vivitar camera, and the rolls of negatives were dropped off at an Eckerd’s photo and pharmacy store for development. Do you remember Eckerd stores? That is about how old I am. Years later, after the rolls had long been developed, and pictures shared, I made a scrapbook for my then boyfriend, now husband. The album contained memories of Homecoming, Prom and our first trip to Disney. The pictures in this post are from that trip to Orlando in January 1999. The young man you see in the photo with my husband is Gabby, and he is my husband’s cousin. He is Argentine. My husband is half-Argentine on his mother’s side.
Back in 1999, Gabby visited my husband’s family. Coming all the way from Argentina, he wanted to experience one thing in particular, Disney World. So, on a cold weekend in January, a group of us went to Orlando to take in all that Universal Studios and Disney had to offer. I cannot begin to tell you how thrilled I was. I was going to Disney World for the first time with my boyfriend. The idea of Magic Kingdom, the castle, the rides, and the Mickey ice cream with the boy I was gaga over was delightful.
We hopped into my boyfriend’s Camaro z28 for the four-hour drive from Miami to Orlando. In my husband’s V8, we may have made it in three hours but don’t tell anyone. Our first stop was Universal Studios. The picture above is from that day. We rode Earthquake, saw the shows, and took pictures with Marilyn Monroe. What I remember most was how much Gabby loved Jaws. When we rode it, he was all smiles and kept saying, “Wow!” When we got off the ride, we all marveled at how close the flames of the fire felt and how the explosion that rocked the boat was incredible. We had a great time at our first theme park.
The next day we went to Waffle House in the morning before heading to Magic Kingdom. We spoke about the previous day and everything we would get to do that day. We knew Magic Kingdom would be a long day, so we had a hearty breakfast to maximize our time in the park. I recall how much we were enjoying one another’s company. I reminisce about how we chatted that maybe one day we would visit Argentina and they would take us to a few places to explore.
As we rode the monorail to the park, I can still recall, even today, how excited Gabby was to see the castle. Magic Kingdom will do that to even a grown man. He was all smiles and snapping pictures.
That day was unusually cold, especially for Florida. The cold weather was perfect for my first trip with my boyfriend to the park. It required cuddling, hot chocolate and plenty of hugs. I could not have asked for better weather to experience Magic Kingdom for the first time with my love.
The day was, pun intended, pure magic. We all rode the Haunted Mansion and giggled like five-year-olds. On Pirates of the Caribbean, we immersed ourselves in the sights and sounds of pirate life. We got to know one another more as we waited in lines and shared stories. Back in 1999, people did not stare down at their phones the entire time while waiting in line. We got to know Gabby pretty well that day.
At that time, my husband did not ride roller coasters. When it came to Space Mountain, I rode with Gabby. I remember how we put our hands up, laughed, and yelled throughout our experience of traveling through space at over 25 miles per hour. We laughed excessively. It was and still is a beautiful memory.
We drove back to Miami and said our goodbyes. Gabby would be leaving soon back to Argentina, and we were not sure if we would see him again during his trip to the States. He reiterated again that we should visit Argentina. We said we would. At the time, I had no idea if I would marry my then-husband, but I loved the idea of visiting Argentina. We had such a wonderful time that I knew should we ever get to Argentina; Gabby would be a great host.
That would be the last time we saw Gabby. As you can imagine, life got busy. Our lives took many different twists and turns, and well, we just never made it Argentina to see Gabby again. Gabby passed away recently at the age of forty-two. He has a two-year-old daughter. He fought cancer bravely, and he enjoyed the time he was given with those he loved most before passing on to his next journey.
Some people come into your life for a season. They come into your life like a wave and crash violently into your story. Then, they are gone. Some people come into your life for what feels like a lifetime. You cannot remember what your life was like before them and could not picture your future without them. Some people come into your life for a night or a weekend. They are the people we share a memorable experience with but we may not see again. That experience could be a few hours to maybe a few days.
Gabby was such an experience for us. I say for us because Gabby is part of an incredibly special memory of my love story with my husband. We only saw Gabby that one weekend but what a special weekend it was.
Gabby is the person behind the camera who took this picture of us:
He is the one that shared in my experience of my first time in Magic Kingdom with my now husband. He was there when we giggled, smiled, cuddled in the cold and shared that Mickey ice cream. Gabby will not be able to tell his daughter about his first time at Disney World, but I will. I will be sure to tell her how much he relished in the twist and turns of the rides. How grateful he was for the experience. How he laughed and smiled for two days straight. How he rode Space Mountain without fear and raised his arms without abandon for three minutes straight.
Gabby tried to get my husband to ride Space Mountain to no avail, and I remember he said, “Bueno cuando vengas a Argentina tienes que montar algo así!” which translates to, “When you come to Argentina, you have to ride something like this!”
Gabby, I want you to know that Guillermo rides all kinds of roller coasters now. He puts his hands up, yells, smiles and laughs just as you did on Space Mountain. I hope that wherever you are, you are doing the same thing right now.
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#disney #disneymemories #life #death #family #makememories #gonetoosoon #disneyfamily
“Mama, I’m ready!” Though she could not verbalize the words yet, the giggle she gave me was letting me know she was ready. Day after day, she would try harder and harder. She would lift her head, then her shoulders. She would crunch her belly so well that any fitness guru would be proud. Then, around five months, it happened. She was finally sitting up all by herself. I could see the happiness in her eyes each time she did it. She was so proud of herself, and I was too. I held her tiny fingers and said, “Yay, my baby girl, you did it!”
“Mama, I’m ready!” She still could not verbalize the words yet, but the squeal she let out at her first steps told me she was more than ready. I will never forget that day. We were watching a Florida State football game. I could tell she wanted to do it. She tried to take those steps. She tried to propel her little legs forward and walk. The look of determination on her face told me she would not quit until she did it. Daddy said, “Come on, you can do it!” I chimed in, “Come on baby girl! Come on, Gianna, you can do it!” With that, she put one little foot in front of the other and took about six steps. She squealed with delight. I picked her up in my arms, giving her a hug and exclaiming with tears in my eyes, “You did it, you did it!” She was about 9 months old, and nothing would stop her now.
“Mama, I’m ready!” She verbalized it this time. She just did not “tell” me, she TOLD ME. She clearly and confidently let me know that she was ready. She wrapped her arms around my neck. I carried her up. She hugged me and said, “Mama, I love you, but I am going to school now.” She was three, nearly four, and heading into preschool. I remember how “ready” she was for school. She wore a grey tee that she picked out herself. It had a heart on it with different colors. She wore it with pink shorts, and her hair was styled in a half-up ponytail. She had her Snow White lunchbox, and she wore her favorite pink boots.
On her first day of preschool, I walked with her to class. She held my hand down the hallway until we reached her classroom. We walked into her classroom, and she quickly let go of my hand. She went off to play, meet other kids, and explore her new world. I went back to my mini-van and cried. My tears were a mix of joy, fear, and sadness.
I was thrilled that she was making new friends and not afraid of school. That was the joy.
I was sad that I was losing her to time and that there was nothing I could do to slow time down.
The fear was wondering if she would be OK. As mothers, we want to protect our children. It is our first instinct. Leaving her at school that day, I remember thinking, “What if something happens to her, and I’m not there to protect her?”
I cried and cried and cried some more. On the drive home, I was flipping through the radio channels when suddenly, 38 Special blared through the speaker. Hold on Loosely started playing:
Just hold on loosely
But don’t let go
If you cling too tightly
You’re gonna lose control.
A special dance begins between you and your child when they start school. It is the beginning of your child taking a step forward and you having to sit back. It is truly the balance between holding on loosely, but not letting go entirely. It is realizing that you cannot protect them from everything, and you have to let things happen “to” them.
Life began to happen “to” her soon after that. A friend said a mean thing. Someone did not want to play. She fell. She did not feel well. Ah yes, soon the days of things happening “to” her rolled into what we call “routine.” The school year came and went, and Pre-Kindergarten soon began.
At the start of this school year, she once again told me, “Mama, I’m ready!” I cried on her first day of Pre-K. Not as much as the year before, but I cried. I cried mainly because once again, it was at that moment that I realized how fast time was going. It is always in these moments that we stop to understand how quickly life happens while we are “busy.”
Time has now taken us to the end of another school year. My little girl has grown so much academically. She is writing her name, spelling words, and beginning to read. These are all wonderful, and I love to see that she genuinely enjoys learning new skills.
What I am even more proud of, however, is that she is kind to everyone. She encourages others and tells them with a high five or fist pump, “Good job!” She has been called a leader, but she is learning that the best leaders lead by their example.
She declares herself, “A child of God.” I am most proud that she is learning that her worth is not given to her by any “person,” but by a heavenly creator that made her unique and called her to a higher purpose.
My baby girl is no longer a pre-schooler. She is officially a kindergartner. She will be at a “big kid” school. She will eat lunch in a large cafeteria. She will need an excuse note from the front office if she arrives late to class. She will be tested according to a “state” standard. Life will begin to happen “to” her at a faster pace than ever before. She already told me, “Mama, I’m ready for kindergarten!”
What can a mama do? Nothing, absolutely nothing except, say a little prayer and “Hold on loosely, but don’t let go.”
You need someone like Big Momma in your life.
Big Momma is someone that I have only known for about two and a half years. You are probably asking yourself, why would you dedicate a blog post to someone you’ve only known for two years versus someone you have known your entire life? Easy. Big Momma comes without drama. People and relationships, that maybe one day I will write about, come with baggage. We all have it. We are all a mixed bag. Since I have not known Big Momma that long, writing about her does not require a deep reflection into such baggage. So who is Big Momma?
Big Momma is a firecracker. She is a momma of five kids. She is a former teacher turned real estate agent.
I have been with my husband for twenty-one years. Those twenty-one years have taken us on many different journeys; recently purchasing our home was the culmination of one of those journeys. We were finally settling down in one place. We were finally buying our forever home. We were finally planting roots instead of just throwing seeds. How does Big Momma fit into all of this?
Big Momma is what she goes by. Her real name is Pam. Pam does not mess around. She will fight for you and your new home every step of the way. You need a realtor like Pam if you are buying a house. Don’t think you need a real estate agent for the biggest purchase of your life? Think again.
Before we purchased our home, I was not sure if we needed a realtor. After closing recently, I can say with 100% certainty that I am glad we had a realtor. Especially one like Pam!
We met Pam through a mutual friend. Pam NEVER pressured us to buy. She let us know when we were ready to start looking, simply to let her know. Pam never asked me about buying a home throughout the entire first year of getting to know her. She would ask me about my kids. She sent me a text just to say hello or call and ask in her sweet southern voice, “How are those adorable baby girls?” Pam cared about us as people first, clients second. This is immensely important when you look for your own real estate agent.
Our newly purchased home is new construction. We had to wait nearly a year between the time of purchase to closing. Pam was there EVERY step of the way to answer all our questions. We had questions throughout the entire process, and she answered them all. If you have never built a new construction home, you will have endless questions ranging from the plot size to customizations, to timelines. You need a realtor with experience to answer these or to know where to get these questions answered.
Pam always answered every email, call, or text. Get yourself an agent that will do the same for you.
Get a real estate agent that KNOWS the business. Pam knew exactly what we were looking for. She knew how particular my husband was. She knew exactly what we wanted, and she fought for us every step of the way to make sure we were happy.
A real estate agent that knows their stuff can help you with the legal documents you will be signing, especially if like us, you are building a custom home. These documents contain legal jargon, and they can be overwhelming. Pam read each thoroughly before we signed anything.
We had a pre-drywall inspection done on the home. We also had another inspection done before closing. Both of these were invaluable. Pam, however, made suggestions throughout the process that others did not mention. She was always thinking ahead. Pam was consistently thinking of the girls. She knew how important this purchase was to us and she made suggestions that she would make for her own home with her own children.
Pam fought for us every step of the way. I know I mentioned this before, but she did. Get yourself a real estate that will do the same for you. I said earlier that your agent should KNOW the business. When our builder, Lennar, gave us some issues, Pam knew precisely who to contact at Lennar to get things done. This can only happen if your realtor knows the business and has made contacts of her own within the industry.
Lastly, Pam is a ball of sunshine. Big Momma is a strong woman, a woman of immense positivity and a woman of faith. Does she want to make money? Of course, she does. You want a real estate agent that wants to make money because they are motivated to work hard for you. With Big Momma though, it is not all about the money, and that is the key (pun intended). She wants to make a profit, but not at the expense of your happiness or well-being. She works hard because she is a hard worker. Pam puts her clients’ needs ahead of the profit. People trust her and recommend her and so the profit comes naturally.
This post is dedicated to Big Momma because, during one of the most stressful years of my life, she was there. Each time we drove by the construction site and saw something, we told Pam, and she guided us on how to address it or she addressed it herself. Each time a question came to our mind, she was there to answer it. Each time Lennar tried to give us the run-around, she was there to assist in stopping the shenanigans. She was also there to share a story, make me laugh, or even bring me flowers to brighten my day. You don’t just need a real estate agent like Big Momma; you need a friend like Big Momma.
#realtor #newhome #buyingahome #realestate #thankyou #newconstruction #shepensblog
Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, located in Orlando, FL is the most magical place on earth!
That magic can take a dark turn when you have to deal with excessive crowds and heat. Here are some tips to navigate Magic Kingdom if you have little ones five and under:
Plan to NOT do everything. Magic Kingdom has SO MUCH TO DO. It is impossible to do it all in the middle of diaper changes, naps, and tantrums. Be ready, you will not be able to do it all. If you accept that, you will have a much better time. If you absolutely need to do it all on your trip, plan to spend 2 days at Magic Kingdom to get it all done!
Magic Kingdom is terrific for kids 5 and under because there are so many rides and attractions geared towards this age group! The options are endless. Be sure to download the My Disney Experience App! It will allow you to buy merchandise, book fastpasses for rides and even order food to avoid the lines.
Book your fastpass plan 30 days in advance or as far as 60 days in advance if you are staying at a Disney property. For Magic Kingdom: Dwarf Mine Train, Peter Pan, Buzz Lightyear, and Pooh are very hard fastpasses to get. For the bigger kids, Space Mountain, Thunder Mountain, and Splash Mountain are also hard to get. Remember you can book three fastpasses at one time. Once you use those three, you can book one at a time.
As far as characters, the hardest fastpasses to get are Mickey, Mickey and Minnie when they are together (which is rare), Cinderella and sometimes Tinkerbell. Tip: If you want to meet Peter Pan, he stands near his ride, off to the side (to the right side if you are looking at the ride). Most people miss where he is, so there is often no line for him! This is also true of Snow White. She is located at the front of the park usually. Close to the exit, off to the side. If your little girl is set on meeting Elsa or Anna, that will not happen at MK. They are at Epcot. Remember to pack an autograph book! You can purchase one for your child in the park, but they are cheaper on Amazon. On the My Disney Experience App, you can locate characters and where they are that particular day.
Book your restaurant reservations well in advance! For character meals, you can usually book Crystal Palace easily to get the time you want. You will meet Pooh and his friends there. If you wish to book, Be Our Guest with Belle and Beast for dinner, BOOK EARLY. You need to book that as far in advance as possible. Belle and Beast only come out for dinner. If you want to book Be Our Guest without Belle and Beast, you can book lunch there. It is a beautiful restaurant. Be sure to try the grey stuff- it’s delicious 😉 If you happen to visit Magic Kingdom during a holiday like Thanksgiving, make sure to book EXTRA early! Liberty Tree Tavern often has a holiday menu that is delicious. The Plaza Restaurant is my favorite at Magic Kingdom. Beautiful views of the castle right on Main Street with yummy food and large portions. If you snag a table by the window for dinner, you can watch the fireworks as you dine! The Plaza Restaurant does not offer character dining. Disney Dining Reservations: (407) 939-3463.
If you want to avoid the food lines, order food straight off your app! We do this all the time. Several restaurants allow you to order right off the app. You order your food, check in that you are there, pick up your food in the mobile food area and you are done! So much easier than doing counter service the traditional way! Tip: You can even order famous snacks off the app! We order our Dole Whip this way to avoid the line!
Attractions like Haunted Mansion, Pirates of Caribbean, Dumbo, Small World, the Carousel, etc. are classics and can have long lines. Keep that in mind as you plan your day. Haunted Mansion and Pirates are dark. Prep your children as they may be afraid. My 4-year-old rode Haunted Mansion, Pirates and Dwarf Mine Train (coaster) without a problem, but she gets that from her Mama 😉 My 2-year-old seems to take after me as well, as she has not had a problem on Haunted Mansion. However, if you have a child that fears that dark, keep this in mind.
Pack raincoats or umbrellas. It rains in Florida. Especially in the summer, right around 3 pm. If you have to purchase rain gear there, it can be expensive. Pack your own.
If you need to change or baby or have a child with special needs, use the baby care center! It is located near Crystal Palace. It has AC. It has AC. It has AC. I can’t stress this enough, especially in the summer. You can feed and change your baby in a quiet, clean and COOL room. They have a separate breastfeeding room and if you need to purchase diapers or meds, you can!
The parade happens daily, at 3 pm. It is a fantastic parade! If your child is not into parades feel free to hit the rides during the parade, as the lines will be shorter.
Fireworks are LOUD. Warn your kiddos! They often become afraid once they start going off.
Check out my other tips and tricks post here for more Disney tips!
Follow me on Instagram @shepensblog to come along with us on our Disney adventures!
#disney #disneyfamily #magickingdom #plandisney #magickkingdomplan #shepensdisney #shepensblog
Were you there Mama that day at the park? You said you were having a bad hair day, so you did not want to be in the picture.
Were you there Mama that day at my school? You said you did not have time to get ready that morning, so you did not want to be in the picture.
Were you there Mama that day at the beach? You did not like how you looked in your bathing suit, so you did not want to be in the picture.
Were you there Mama that day at the zoo? You did not have time to put on makeup, so you did not want to be in the picture.
Were you there Mama when we were playing dress up our playroom? You did not feel “pretty” that day, so you did not want to be in the picture.
Were you there Mama when we went to Disney that day? You said it was too hot and your face was also red, so you did not want to be in the picture.
Were there Mama when we went to the pool? You said you looked too pale, so you did not want to be in the picture.
Were you there Mama when we went out for pizza? You said you looked terrible so you did not want to be in the picture.
Mama where are you in all these pictures? There are plenty of pictures of me, Mama! I love to look back and laugh at my funny faces. I see Dada in so many photos too! It is so fun to take pictures with Daddy! I see my baby sister in some of my favorite photos, but I do not see you. Where are you, Mama?
Mama, that day at the park when you did not like your hair, I thought your hair looked pretty, especially when it was blowing in the wind as we ran through the grass.
Mama, when you were worried about how you looked at my school, I was just so happy you were at my school to see me. I was excited to take a picture with you, but you did not want to.
Remember that day at the beach when you said you felt ugly in your bathing suit? All I saw was my pretty Mama that stayed in her beach chair all afternoon. I wish I had a picture with you from the beach that day.
Remember that day we were playing in our playroom? I put that floppy hat on you, and I said, “Mama, take a picture of us with these hats on!” You said you did not feel pretty that day, so you did not take a picture, but Mama you looked beautiful to me.
Mama, when we went to the zoo, I remember I took that funny picture with Daddy by the giraffes. I did not notice that you were not wearing makeup that day. I did notice you did not want to be in a picture with me and I was not sure why.
Mama, I hear you say that you do not look good. I hear you say that you need to put makeup on. You will say you are having a bad hair day or that you do not look pretty. You say many things when you do not want to be in a picture, Mama. I hear these things, and I do not understand them because I think you are beautiful, Mama.
You are my Mama that every morning gives me kisses and does my hair. You are my Mama that takes me to the park and spins me round and round. You are my Mama that splashes with me in the pool. You are my Mama that at the zoo makes funny animal noises as we explore together. That is what I remember Mama.
Mama, I know you were there those special days when we went to the park and the beach. When you would swing me and say, “Hold on!” as I asked you to push me higher and higher.
At the pool, I remember when I fell asleep on your chest, and it was the best nap I ever had. I could hear your heartbeat, and it soothed me as nothing else had before.
I remember that time you ordered mushrooms on your pizza and I said “Yuck! No mushrooms for me!” I can recall all these things right now, but one day, as time goes on, it will be hard for me to remember specific details about you, Mama.
One day, a long time from now, it will be hard for me to remember how you were that day Mama. Did you have your hair down or up? Was your hair dark brown or was it that light blonde you sometimes had? What were your features like that day? Were your eyes tired from work or did we let you sleep enough the night before? Did you wear blue or white that day? Did you smile with your teeth or give that sly smile you sometimes give? I can’t seem to remember Mama if you made a silly face that day. I love your fish face, Mama. I wish I had a picture of it.
Mama, can you help me remember these days by taking pictures with me?
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